This introductory note discusses the developments at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for the year 2013. The final ICTR judgments are discussed, as well as the referral of cases to national jurisdictions. The role of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in monitoring the cases at a national level is of importance, as many concerns arose within the cases referred to Rwanda for trial. The cases referred to Rwanda for trial demonstrate the difficulties and pitfalls within the Rwandan judiciary; an issue that has been raised continuously by human rights organisations. This is of relevance because national jurisdictions have allowed extradition of Rwandan nationals to Rwanda for trial after the ICTR’s referral decision in the Uwinkindi case.